Random bruising may happen without a clear cause or injury. Along with frequent unexplained bruising on your legs, diabetes causes increased thirst and urination, weight loss, nausea, and abdominal pain. (2018). If you find yourself in pain because of the bruise, you can apply a cold compress and keep the bruise elevated above the heart. Bruising for no reason can be explained and treated. Women tend to bruise more easily than men. There are various risk factors associated with random and easy bruising, such as genetics, age, and sex. It may also result from pricking the skin to test your blood sugar or injecting insulin. Dr. Charles Silberberg, says that a person with advanced kidney disease may also have drowsiness, numbness in hands and feet, breath odor, blood in the stool, and/or vomiting in the mornings.19, Some cancer treatments can affect blood platelets causing easy bruising and bleeding that is difficult to stop. A blunt trauma injury can cause your spleen to rupture. 5. 2006 Oct; 65(10): 13411345. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. I've had the flu now my stomach and part of my back is bruised what could be the cause? 2016;17(3):283-286. doi:10.1007/s11154-016-9399-3, Gudmundsdottir SA, Moller PH, Arngrimsson R. Ehlers-Danlos-heilkenni af gerd IV. People who take blood thinners bruise more easily. Thrombophilia typically has no symptoms until a blood clot develops. (n.d.). The ultra violet rays of the sun can lead to bruises under the skin. Random or unexplained bruising on legs can happen for a number of reasons. It should get better within 2 to 3 weeks. Also runners or joggers toenail is one of the most common reasons for bruised toenails as the toe pushes against the front of the shoe while running or jogging. For example, hemophilia and Willebrand disease affect the bloods ability to clot and can cause bleeding and excessive bruising resulting in black or dark skin patches. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. 5. This can be done by wearing protective gear while you play sports or engage in other physical activities that could lead to bruising. Without enough platelets, your blood clots more slowly than normal. Common medically unexplained symptoms include: About 1 in 4 people who see a GP have physical symptoms that cannot be explained. Bruises range in size, shape and color depending on the type of bruise, cause and location. Unexplained bruising on your legs is one of the signs of advanced diabetes. When blood isnt clotting like it should, bleeding can be heavier or longer than normal. On top of genetics, aging can be a factor of unexplained bruising. She has been educated in both psychology and journalism, and her dual education has given her the research and writing skills needed to deliver sound and engaging content in the health space. Thats because your body needs iron to keep your blood cells healthy. Dr. Dennis Lee on MedicineNet says that along with random bruises, liver disease can turn the skin yellow and cause all over body itching. Be aware that certain clotting disorders may be a factor. Is my bruising normal? Bruises often change colors as they heal. Someone who takes medication and has random bruising should speak to a doctor for advice and to discuss their drug and family medical history. This can cause blood vessels to burst and leak blood into the surrounding area. However, bruises arent typically something to worry about, and they tend to heal on their own in a few days or weeks. Although being in the sun is necessary to help the body produce vitamin D, too much sun exposure can damage your skin and cause you to bruise easily. Symptoms of a bruise include: Pain or tenderness (sore feeling) when you touch the bruise. Certain medications and supplements can cause the blood to thin and result in random bruising on the body. Medications that are used for rheumatoid arthritis can often lead to unexplained bruises. Understanding Bone Bruise or Marrow Edema. Bruising usually occurs as a result of accidental trauma, but may be non-accidental. Manypeople with medically unexplained symptoms, such as tiredness, pain andheart palpitations,also have depression or anxiety. People who have cancer and are struggling to eat may also experience vitamin deficiencies that impact the bloods ability to clot. I've noticed 3 bruises on my stomach for no apparent reason approx. A bruise is also known as a contusion. Vitamin C supplements are also used to help reduce random bruising in patients suffering from skin diseases that cause bruising.5, According to MedlinePlus, vitamin K plays a major role in blood clotting. This can result in random bruising or larger bruises from trauma to the skin.3. Hydrocolloid bandages are used to treat open, superficial wounds and open pimples. Bruises, Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/bruises, last accessed August 28, 2017. In this article, you will find out what could be causing random bruising on your legs and other body parts, and in some cases, how to get rid of the bruise quickly. Find out more about Henoch-Schnlein purpura. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Apply a warm, wet tea bag to the bruise two or three times a day for best results. First of all, lets look at what bruises are and what is the main cause of random bruising. Discuss with your doctor, you need some blood test Spontaneous signs of bruising(ecchymoses) can occur after taking aspirin or Aleve (naproxen) or with certain blood or liver disorders. Bruises and blood spots under the skin. Bruising occurs when blood becomes trapped under the skin, usually following an impact injury that damages small blood vessels. This can help reduce the swelling as well as the coloring of the bruise. The forensic science behind bruise healing [Infographic]. Read on to learn more about common causes, what to watch for, and when to see a doctor. This can cause the bruise to take on a green color or tinge. Vitamin C, for example, supports your immune system and aids in wound healing. Unfortunately, as we get older, getting unexplained bruises becomes more of a fact of life due to skin changes and medications. Sjukratilfelli og sjukdomseinkenni [Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. Unexplained Bruising on Your Body: Causes and Treatments, Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer, why some people shouldnt take turmeric regularly, get relief from sunburn using natural remedies, Warning Signs That You Have Poor Blood Circulation, Seven Types of Pain You should Never Ignore, Top 10 Natural Remedies for Swollen Ankles, Legs and Feet. Doctors will check a woman's platelet levels throughout a pregnancy term, but bruising could be a symptom of gestational thrombocytopenia, which leads to a low platelet . You have systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes or unintentional weight loss along with unexplained bruising. Some deficiencies include vitamin C deficiency and vitamin K deficiency. Vitamin K deficiency. Intense physical activities like running or lifting weights can also lead to unexplained bruises. Angelica Bottaro is a professional freelance writer with over 5 years of experience. Also, as we get older, we tend to lose a little bit of our balance and coordination. Eden, R. E., & Coviello, J. M. (2020). Von Willebrand disease is a bleeding disorder similar to hemophilia as it also causes the body to be unable to make one of the proteins that are a key part of the blood-clotting process. This may help speed the healing process because it lowers inflammation and prevents more blood from pooling in the area. Some viral infections can cause a condition called thrombocytopenia that affects blood clotting. If you are in pain because of the bruise, you can apply a cold compress to the area to slow down blood flow. For example, cirrhosis is the result of continuous long-term damage, and bruising easily is a symptom. A fresh bruise will usually appear red, blue, or purple. Medicine such asantidepressantscan be helpful, even if you're not depressed. Many essential oils are used to treat various injuries and maladies. After 24 hours have passed, try using a heat pack to get the circulation flowing and relax the muscle area around the bruise. They typically arise due to an underlying health condition such as diabetes. Bruises develop when capillaries burst after an impact, while blood clots occur when an injury damages blood vessels. These types of exercises can, at times, cause tears in the blood cells under the skin and lead to bruising. Sunburn can take a long time to heal and its effects can be long-lasting. They can make a diagnosis, if needed, and advise you on next steps. Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy. According to the NHS website and WebMD, you should see your doctor if you have unexplained bruising along with any of the following symptoms:23, 24. Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School. Sometimes, bruising without an injury could be a sign of a serious underlying medical condition like diabetes, a blood clotting disorder, or an autoimmune disease. Liver disease may also make legs swell and cause intestinal bleeding.18. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Using intervals of ice and heat can help ease the pain of a bruise and get the healing process started. Skin discoloration (red to purple, black, brown or yellow). Bruises are common and usually disappear with time. The most common symptom of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is painless swelling in the lymph nodes, which are located in the neck, groin, and armpit. However, there are early warning signs of diabetes that can indicate you are at risk for developing the disease. People who have cancers in parts of the body responsible for blood production, like the liver, may also experience unusual clotting. This is called dermatoporosis. American Cancer Society. Experiencing random bruising can be alarming, but it doesnt always warrant a visit to your doctor. If you have diabetes, its important to manage it properly. Many people find that they have unexplained bruising on legs and want to know what causes bruises to appear for no apparent reason. Bruising is the most common injury sustained by children who have been subject to physical abuse. Case study and clinical findings]. A bruise usually starts off as a black and blue patch of skin and gradually turns green or yellow as it heals.1, You may find that the bruises on your body are painful at first but they may start to itch as they heal. Vitamin C: Vitamin C is important for many reasons, one being wound healing. People with low counts of blood platelets often bruise easily because there are fewer platelets in the blood to repair damaged blood vessels. When there is a lack of vitamin K, blood can pool easier and lead to bruising. The red coloring is due to the fresh blood near the surface of the skin. Spontaneous bruising is very common after 45-50 years of age and also depends upon the skin type. Not understanding the causecan make them even more distressing and difficult to cope with. What Are the Risk Factors for Random Bruising? This is because women have more fragile blood vessels and may bruise more easily on their legs, upper arms, or buttocks. The condition can lead to bruising that lasts longer than normal because of the way it affects wound healing. Dr. Cunha says that it will take between one to two weeks for bruises to completely heal.2. If you're in pain, a pharmacist can recommend: stronger painkillers Some people may be more susceptible to random bruising than others, and depending on the circumstance, you may want to see a healthcare professional. The skin is also thin, fragile, and easily damaged. Icelandic. This causes blood from damaged veins and capillaries to collect near the surface of the skin. Widespread bruising or petechial rash would be concernin Dr. John Munshower and another doctor agree. Older adults often experience random bruising as part of the natural aging process. Random bruising caused by diabetes occurs when the condition affects the blood vessels and causes peripheral vascular disease. People who have hemophilia A are missing an important clotting factor, factor VIII, resulting in excessive bleeding and bruising. Unexplained Bruising on Your Body: Causes and Treatments was last modified: July 17th, 2019 by Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer. This makes helichrysum essential oil great for dealing with bruises. Chronic skin fragility of aging: current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis. A GP will aim to rule out all the possible conditions that might be causing your symptoms. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease where the bodys immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. This bleeding disorder is caused by a low platelet count. And yes, getting older also means that we will be a little more prone to injury. Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere. The colour of the bumps and patches usually changes and fades, like a bruise. If a person has non-hodgkins lymphoma, especially in their bone marrow, it can reduce blood cell count and blood platelet count leading to clotting issues and random bruising. Generally, planning some pleasurable personal time to unwind should help whatever helps you relax,whether it'syoga classes, swimming, running,meditation orwalking in the countryside. Canadian Cancer Society. Gardner-Diamond syndrome is a condition wherein painful and unexpected bruising occurs, mainly on the arms, legs, or face. Learn about breathing exercises for stress. Sjukratilfelli og sjukdomseinkenni [Ehlers-Danlos syndrome type IV. To learn more, please visit our. A ruptured Achilles tendon is not uncommon for athletes and can cause a great deal of pain. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Ive been getting a bruise on my left upper ribcage and bruising on my lower right side on my stomach but i haven't had any injury to cause this.. Bleeding and bruising. How much exercise you should do will depend on your current health and capabilities. Other common symptoms of a bleeding disorder include: Sepsis is an infection that causes a buildup of toxins in the blood or tissues. Add the olive oil to a pan and drop in the comfrey leaves. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. Researchers are expressing concerns over the number of bicycle accidents involving drugs. If you think you have an underlying condition that's been missed by your doctor, you can ask for a second opinion. Yourbody has a remarkable ability to recover and there's a good chance that your symptoms will improve in time, even without any specific treatment. Learn about how to get. Mix a few drops of chamomile essential oil with a carrier oil like almond or coconut oil. The RICE method for getting rid of a bruise is:11. When you strain a muscle, you injure muscle tissue deep under the skin. Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma. Start with an ice pack wrapped in a towel (not directly on the skin). Ibuprofen (oral route). Next review due: 12 July 2024, Learn about breathing exercises for stress, what your symptoms are like, when they started and what makes them better or worse, what you think is the cause of your symptoms and your expectations of how tests and treatments might help, how your symptoms affect what you can do what they stop you doing, how upsetting your symptoms are how they make you feel.